1 / 8

On February 28 the RA National Assembly continued the work of the four-day sittings.

Before beginning the law-making work the deputies honored the memory of Sumgait victims in one-minute silence by the NA Speaker Samvle Nikoyan’s proposal.

The deputies by voting passed the bills debated on the previous day. The package of bills proposing amendments “On Property Tax and Debts Caused on Land Tax,” “On Amending the Law on Taxes,” “On Amending the Law On Land Tax,” and “On Amending the Law on Property Tax” and to 37 laws, as well as the package of bills proposing amendments “On Legal Entities’ State Registration” and to 18 laws was passed in the first reading.

The Parliament Speaker in the deputies’ name welcomed the students of the Agricultural State College of Armenian State Agrarian University, who were attending the NA sittings within the framework of the “Open Lesson” programme.

During the exchange of the ideas the deputies delivering speeches presented their views and proposals on the issue under debate.

The parliament continued the debate of the package of bills “On Legal Regime of the State of Emergency,” “On Making Amendments to the RA Code on Administrative Infringements,” “On Amending the RA Law ‘Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly.’”

Davit Harutyunyan, Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs, delivered adjoining speech, submitting the committee’s endorsement.

The NA deputies Tigran Torosyan, Anahit Bakhshyan, Vahan Hovhannesyan, Armne Martirosyan, Armen Rustamyan and Styopa Safaryan presented their views and remarks on the issue under debate, considering inadmissible the adoption of the package of bills in this shape, as it contradicts some provisions of the RA Constitution.

Interrupting the debate of the item, the National Assembly debated in the procedure of the Article 104 of the RA Law “NA Rules of Procedure” the legislative package “On Amending the RA Electoral Code,” “On Amending the RA Law ‘Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly” and “On Amending the RA Law on Constitutional Court.” The NA Speaker Samvel Nikoyan informed the deputies that the ARF and Heritage factions had considered the package of bills extraordinary. The Parliament Speaker noted that the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs had not endorsed the package.

The RA NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov delivered an extraordinary speech in connection with this issue.

The RA NA Deputy Speaker Samvel Balasanyan gave a speech on the issue. According to him, there should be political will to hold free, fair, transparent elections in compliance with international standards. The NA Deputy Speaker highlighted the participation of the deputies elected from the regions in the parliamentary work. It was noted that the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP) faction would express its position by voting.

The NA deputies also gave speeches on the legislative amendments.

Touching upon the view that the majoritarian electoral system gives opportunity for election riggings, noted that they could be in case of proportional election system. From the legal view Hakob Hakobyan believes that it is necessary to ensure the citizen’s right to elect and to be elected, and from the political view it’s not time for relevant amendments at this moment.

Presenting the view of the Heritage faction Styopa Safaryna has noted that there is no alternative passing into proportional electoral system: it’s never late to change the rules of the game, if as aresult the election becomes free and fair.

The ARF faction member Armen Rustamyan has noted stable majority is shaped by majoritarian electoral system without people’s participation, the people cannot realize its power through elections.

Naira Zohrabyan has expressed the view of the PAP, saying that in a country having democratic electoral traditions should be one prior problem, holding fair and free elections, and it’s not important through what electoral system would be held the elections. As a compromise she has also proposed to debate at least the version of reducing the majoritarian electoral system in this phase.

Eduard Sharmazanov has introduced the view of the RPA faction, underlining that the RPA is to implement democratic elections. According to him, for the RPA the content of the problem is essential, i.e. the deepening of democratic processes in the country. Mr Sharmazanov has noted that it is important for them to provide normal, transparent elections, for which there is a political will and implemented legislative reforms.

In their final speeches the RA Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyna and the key speaker Armen Martirosyan touched upon the raised problems and concerns.

The National Assembly will continue the debate of the package of bills “On Legal Regime of the State of Emergency,” “On Making Amendments to the RA Code on Administrative Infringements,” “On Amending the RA Law ‘Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly.’” on February 29.

According to the RA Law “NA Rules of Procedure,” at the last hour of the sitting the deputies made announcements.